NashvilleStage your idea's are good ones and thank you. I certainly did not mean in any way to put down or disrespect the traditional models of muzzleloading pistols. I happen to find them interesting and the NMLRA holds matches with traditional pistols as well as modern. There are matches for the traditional caplock, flintlock, and revolver. Matches for men and women seperate or combined. Matches for youth. Matches for senior citizens where they can be allowed to use pistol scopes, and two handed holds. There are loaner pistols at the nationals in the youth model sizes for kids interested in the sport to "walk-on" sort of into a match to try out the sport.
I simply meant that a lot of people that have no knowledge of the muzzleloading competitive sports (rifle, pistol, shotgun) tend to automatically assume the models of our forefathers when I mention muzzleloading but in fact a person can compete with a modern, custom built weapon.
The competition does start way back using traditional weaponry and to remember and preserve that at Friendship Indiana you will find the "traditional" side of the NMLRA's property where people dress, camp out and live the whole part. Check out NMLRA's website for more information. It's truly like stepping back in time.
http://nmlra.org/
Personally I enjoy the more modern side of things but the guns are still loaded and fired with the same ammunition. Modern grips and adjustable bo-mar styled sights with hair triggers are the type of guns and matches I've been working to compete in. The situation we face right now is that the shooters have all grown older with no one to take up the sport.
At the range I go too people have tried out my guns but unfortunately people seem to think that these guns are too much work to shoot one shot at a time. A lot of people these days like the IPSC and IDPA matches where those look fun and a rush of excitement I prefer the bullseye sport. And like I said - for those of you who may be interested in conventional bullseye pistol give muzzleloading a thought. There are a lot of people to learn from and the sport can be just as complex and challenging and the cost may be a little lighter.